Combined straightedge and trimmer



Nov. 18, 1941.

E. REAM COMBINED S'IRAIGHTEDG-E AND TRIMMER Filed March 15 1941 i rINVENTOR.

Patented Nov. 18, 1941 COMBINED STRAIGHTEDGE AND TRIMMER Albert E. Ream,Braymer, Mo., assignor of onehalf to Ralph E. Goddard, Braymer, Mo.

Application March 15, 1941, Serial No. 383,565 (01. 16477) '7 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in combined straight edges andtrimmers, adaptable for the trimming of wall paper, cloth and othersheet material.

One of the objects of my invention is the provision of novel trimmingmeans combined with a novel straight edge, in which the trimming meansis below the upper surface of the straight edge.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a combined straightedge and trimmer, which is simple, cheap to make, durable, not like- 1yto get out of order, which is easy to operate, and which is efficient inits operation.

Still another object of my invention is the provision of a noveltrimming mechanism including two cutters having cutting edges disposedin longitudinal alinement, arranged to simultaneously reciprocate inlike directions and projecting the same distance below the straight edgeside, to assure complete severance of the material that is beingtrimmed.

The novel features of my invention are fully hereinafter set forthandclaimed.

In the accompanying drawing illustrating the preferred embodiment of myinvention,

Fig. 1. is a plan view of my combined straight edge and trimmeroperatively disposed on and trimming a sheet of material disposed upon asuitable flat support.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective View, partly broken away of mystraight edge andtrimmer.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross section through the implement in the plan-eof the axis of the handle, supporting one of the cutters.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the reciprocative member,

Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross section through a portion of the implementin the plane of the axis of the screw, supporting the other cutter.

Similar characters of reference designate similar parts in the differentviews.

The straight edge comprises a rectangular or at member I, onelongitudinal edge of which is.

registers with the groove 2 and forms therewith a longitudinal channelin which is reciprocative a member as a bar 5, substantially rectangularin cross section, and having a longitudinal side rib 6 reciprocative inthe slot 4.

Horizontally extending transversely through ably mounted on theshoulders I I and I3.

the rib 6 and reciprocative member 5 are two threaded holes I and 8.

A handle 9 having the form of a knob is fixed to the member 5 by athreaded stem I0, fitted in the hole "I. The handle 9 has an annularshoulder I I bearing against the rib 6. A screw I2 has its threaded stemI2 fitted in the hole 8. It has an annular shoulder I3 bearing againstthe rib 6.

Two cutters I4 and I5 are respectively rotat- Each cutter has a circularperipheral beveled cutting edge. Said cutting edges are respectivelydesignated I6 and I1. The cutting edges I6 and I1 are longitudinallyalined, are next to the plate 3 and project at all times the samedistance below the lower edge of the plate 3, and are adapted to trimwhen moved in either direction.

In operation, the sheet I8, of wall paper, cloth. or other material tobe trimmed, is placed on a suitable fiat top support I9, and thestraight edge, I--3, is then suitably adjusted on the sheet I8, as shownin Fig. 1, with the cutting edges l6 and'l'l bearing on the sheet I 8.The handle 9 is then used to slide the member 5 to the right, as viewedin Fig. 1, upon which the cutting edges I6 and I I will sever from thesheet the trimmed strip 20.

Two alined cutters I4 and I5 are employed to insure the completeseverance of the sheet that is being trimmed. With the use of a singlecutter, the severed strip sometimes adheres to the sheet at differentpoints and requires hand separation at such points.

The upper surface of the support I9 for the sheet, is, preferably, ofsome soft metal, such as sheet zinc on which the cutting edges I6 and I!travel.

It will be noted that no portion of the cutting edges I6 and I1 projectabove the upper surface of the straight edge, so are not liable to havecontact with the hands of the operator.

The reciprocative member 5 and the plate 3 are preferably of metal, themember 5 being freely reciprocative in the groove 2, and the rib 6 beingsnugly slidably fitted in the slot 4. i

While in Fig. 1 the cutters are shown as being started from the left,they may be started from the opposite longitudinal edge of the sheet l8.The slot 4 is longer than the width of any sheet to be trimmed. If thestrip 20 is longer than the slot 4, the implement will be adjustedlongitudinally on the sheet, or the sheet will be adjusted to suit thiscondition.

One end of the slot 4 is open so that the member 5 can be slid out forcleaning and sharpening purposes.

It will be noted that all portions of the straight edge and trimmer,excepting the lower edges of the cutters I 4 and i5, are disposed whollybetween the planes of the upper and lower fiat sides of the bar I. Thereare no parts projecting above said bar, and only a slight projection ofthe cutters l4 and 15 below the bar I, whereby the device occupies aminimum of space, and can be disposed in compact form for storage orshipment, and the absence of upwardly protruding parts avoidsinterference with the easy manipulation of the device in use. By havingthe rotary cutter edge It always disposed below the bottom of thestraight edge member I, and said member disposed on top of the sheet tobe out, there is nothing to interfere with trimming any desired widthfrom the sheet.

Modifications of my invention, within the scope of the appended claims,may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim is: a

1. In a combined straight edge and trimmer, a straight edge member whichrests on the sheet to be trimmed as it is trimmed and having in itsstraight edge side a longitudinal channel, a bar longitudinallyreciprocative lengthwise in said channel, a handle fixed on and adaptedto reciprocate said bar, and a rotary circular cutter having aperipheral beveled cutting edge and rotatably mounted on said handlewith said cutting edge next to and projecting at all times below saidmember and its straight edge side and adapted to trim when moved ineither longitudinal direction.

2. In a combined straight edge and trimmer, a straight edge having inits straight edge side a longitudinal channel, a member longitudinallyreciprocative in said channel and having a hori zontal transversethreaded hole, a rotary cutter having a circular peripheral beveledcutting edge, and a handle having a threaded stem fitted in saidthreaded hole and rotatably supporting said cutter with said cuttingedge next to and projecting below said straight edge side.

3. In a combined straight edge and trimmer, a straight edge having inits straight edge side a longitudinal channel, a member longitudinallyreciprocative in said channel, a handle fastened to said member forreciprocating said member, two rotary cutters each having a circularperipheral beveled cutting edge, and means rotatably supporting saidcutters on said member with their cutting edges spaced apart inlongitudinal alinement and next to and extending below said straightedge side.

4. In a combined straight edge and trimmer, a straight edge having inone longitudinal side edge a longitudinal groove, and having fastened tosaid side edge a longitudinal plate having a longitudinal slot inregister with said groove and forming therewith a longitudinal channel,a member reciprocative in said channel longitudinally, and having atransverse horizontal threaded hole registering with said slot, a handlehaving a threaded stem fitted in said hole, two rotary cutters eachhaving a circular peripheral beveled cutting edge, and means rotatablysupporting said cutters on said member with their cutting edges next toand projecting below said plate, which plate serves as the straight edgeside of said straight edge.

5. A combined straight edge and trimmer comprising a rectangular memberhaving a straight side edge provided with a longitudinal channel, a barreciprocative lengthwise in said channel, a handle fixed on and adaptedto reciprocate said bar, and a rotary cutter rotatable on said handleflatwise against said side edge and having a peripheral cutting edgebelow the upper side of said member and extending at all times below thelower side of said member and adapted to trim when moved longitudinallyin either direction, all portions of said straight edge and trimmer,excepting the lower portion of said cutter, being disposed whollybetween the planes of the upper and lower sides of said member.

6. In a combined straight edge and trimmer, a bar adapted to rest on thematerial that is being trimmed and having a longitudinal straight edgeprovided with a longitudinal channel, a member longitudinallyreciprocative in said channel, a handle fastened to said member, arotary cutter having a circular peripheral cutting edge next to saidstraight edge, and means on said member rotatably supporting said cutterwith said cutting edge at all times lower than the upper side andprojecting lower than the under side of said bar.

7. In a combined straight edge and trimmer, a bar having fiat upper andunder sides and a straight edge with a longitudinal channel between saidsides, said bar being adapted to rest on the material that is beingtrimmed, a member longitudinally reciprocative in said channel, a handlefastened to said member, a rotary cutter having acircular peripheralcutting edge next to said straight edge, and means on said memberrotatably supporting said cutter with said cutting edge at all timeslower than the upper side and projecting lower than the under side ofsaid bar, all of the parts of the trimmer being disposed lower than theupper side of said bar.

ALBERT E. BEAM.

